Four stops, four views of an immense continent. From the snows of Mount Fuji to the lanes of Kyoto, from the ridges of the Great Wall to Java's volcanic landscapes, Caroline discovers another horizon.
Her Asia notebook
Between traditions, mountains and distant horizons
Asia gives Caroline landscapes that can feel almost unreal: perfectly shaped volcanoes, temples and gardens, walls running over mountain ridges and volcanic lands washed in morning light. Here, every destination seems to have its own rhythm.
For this first selection, four highly visual stops set the tone: Mount Fuji, Kyoto in spring, the Great Wall of China and Mount Bromo. Each has its own story, memorable fact and collectible retro poster.
4Asian stops
3 countriesto begin the journey
€29.90poster price
01
Japan · Honshu
Mount Fuji — The sacred volcano
At 3,776 metres, Mount Fuji is Japan's highest mountain and one of the country's most recognisable landscapes. This almost perfectly symmetrical stratovolcano has profoundly influenced Japanese culture, religion, literature and art. For centuries it has been both a place of pilgrimage and a source of inspiration for painters and printmakers, especially during the Edo period.
Did you know?Mount Fuji's most recent eruption was the Hōei eruption of 1707–1708.
Japan's former imperial capital for more than a thousand years, Kyoto preserves an exceptional heritage of temples, shrines, gardens and traditional districts. In spring, cherry blossom transforms the city into an ephemeral landscape. The season is closely associated with hanami, the custom of viewing cherry blossoms and celebrating the fleeting beauty of the moment.
Did you know?The word 'hanami' literally means 'flower viewing', although today it is most strongly associated with sakura cherry blossoms.
The Great Wall of China is not a single structure built in one continuous project, but a vast network of fortifications constructed, connected and altered across many dynasties. The best-known sections today date mainly from the Ming dynasty, between the 14th and 17th centuries. Watchtowers, walls and fortified passes follow the natural contours of the land, creating one of the world's most famous architectural silhouettes.
Did you know?Contrary to a widespread myth, the Great Wall is not easily visible to the naked eye from the Moon.
Mount Bromo rises in the heart of the vast Tengger caldera in eastern Java. Although it is not the highest peak in the massif, its shape and smoking crater make it one of Indonesia's most famous volcanic landscapes. The plain around it, often called the 'Sea of Sand', creates an almost lunar setting that is especially dramatic at sunrise.
Did you know?The name Bromo derives from Brahma, one of the major deities in the Hindu tradition.
Four short questions to see Caroline's first Asian stops from a different angle.
Why is Mount Fuji so important in Japan?
Its silhouette, height and spiritual role have made it a place of pilgrimage and a major cultural symbol for centuries. It appears in countless Japanese works, from woodblock prints to contemporary photography.
Why are cherry blossoms so closely associated with Kyoto?
Kyoto combines exceptional cultural landscapes with a long tradition of seasonal contemplation. In spring, gardens, temples and riverbanks are covered in cherry blossom for a very brief period.
The volcano lies inside a vast caldera covered in volcanic deposits. This huge mineral expanse, combined with volcanic cones and morning mist, gives the landscape an especially dramatic appearance.
